Internal-combustion engine.



F. J. C. TESSE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1. 1915.

LQUNAUL Patented De0.12,1916.

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-INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. I915.

A Patentefi Dec. 12,1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. J. C. TESSE.

INIERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.7.19|5. LQUAUL Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

5 SHEETS--SHEET 3.

F. J. C. TESSE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. I915.

Patented Dec.12,1916.

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F. J. C. TESSE.

INTERNAL comeusnom ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APE. 7, 195- P Lfiflfififli u. Patented Dev. 12, 1916.

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INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7. I915. mmwfimo Patented De0.12,1916.

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FELIX JOSEPH CHARLEIVIAGNE TESSE, OF LA VABENNE ST.-I-IILAIRE, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 GEORGE MALLISON, 0F EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1L2, 1916.

Application filed April 7, 1915. Serial N 0. 19,844.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FELIX JOSEPH CHAR- LnuAeNn Tnssn, citizen of the Republic of France, residing at 12 Chemin Lateral Nord, La Varenne St-I-lilaire, Seine, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly to rotary cylinder two-stroke internal combustion engines of the kind in which there is employed in conjunction with the working piston an independent auxiliary piston the centrifugal force of which, due to the rotation of the cylinder system, is utilized for the purpose of expelling the burnt charge and of draw ing in the fresh charge, or of assisting in these operations.

An engine of this kind, wherein the expulsion of the burnt charge and the drawing in of the fresh charge are effected solely by the centrifugal force of the auxiliary piston, is described in the specification of my British patent No. 9061 of 1912.

The objects of the present invention are chiefly as follows :Firstly, to improve the operation of two-stroke rotary cylinder engines of the kind referred to, with a view to obviate wear and breakage liable to be caused by impact of the auxiliary piston under the action of centrifugal force, against the end or outer portion of the cylinder or explosion chamber, while at the same time enabling the burnt gases to be expelled to a very large extent from the combustion space. lVith this object according to the invention lv provide means whereby the discharge of the burnt gases from the given cylinder, under the impulsion of the auxiliary piston, is interrupted for a suitably portion of the outstroke of the auxiliary piston, so that the outward motion of the latter under centrifugal. force is cushioned by the resulting compression of the burnt gases, the space containing the burnt gases thus compressed by the auxiliary piston being then placed in communication with the atmosphere so that they are discharged therefrom. To attain this result the exhaust valves of the cylinders are preferably operated by a cam or other apparatus adapted to open the exhaust valve of the cylinder to discharge a portion of the burnt gases under the impulse of the outwardly moving auxiliary piston, then to close the exhaust valve until the auxiliary piston has been cushioned to rest or approximately to rest by the remain mg burnt gases at the end of its outstroke or about the end of its outstroke and then again to open the exhaust valve to discharge the compressed residue of burnt gases.

Secondly, the invention aims to provide in combination with the working piston in twostroke rotary cylinder engines of the kind referred to, an improved type of auxiliary piston adapted to effect in a simple and efficient manner the transfer of the compressed charge into the combustion chamber from the space between the working and auxiliary pistons. lVith this object I construct the auxiliary piston with apertures or passages for establishing communication between the combustion chamber on the one side and the space between the auxiliary and working pistons on the other, these openings or passages being provided with a spring ring or segment, or other suitable device, so disposed as to close the said passages on the instroke of the auxiliary piston under the impulse of the ignited charge, but on the other hand to yield at the required time under the pressure of the charge compressed between the working piston and the auxiliary piston and thus to allow the compressed charge to be forced past the auxiliary piston into the combustion chamber.

The invention also comprises certain further improvements in connection with r0- tary cylinder internal combustion engines and especially those of the kind above re ferred to, which will appear from the following description, given by way of example, of a two stroke rotary cylinder motor constructed to embody the features of the invention. This motor is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1, 1, represent the upper half and Figs. 1 1 the lower half of the motor in sectional end elevation. Figs. 2, 2, 2 and 2 represent this motor in longitudinal section, Figs. 2 and 2 being respectively the continuations of the upper and lower halves of the hollow shaft broken off at the right of Figs. 2, 2. Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the means for supplying compressed air for vaporizing the liquid fuel. Fig. 4c is a detail view in vertical section on a'ae Figs. 2, 2 showing the means for rotating the magneto about the axis of its driving wheel for starting .the motor. Fig. a is a detail section on line y-g, Fig. 4L.

The motor shown comprises eight cylinders marked 1, but the number of which may vary. In each cylinder is mounted a working piston v2, and a loose auxiliary piston 3 independent thereof, but guided therein. The cylinder is formed with a shoulder or contraction 1 at a short distance fromits outer end and the auxiliary piston is formed with a correspondingly shaped portion or shoulder 2 so that an explosion chamber is left between the auxiliary piston and the end of the cylinder when the auxiliary piston isin its outermost position.

Each cylinder is formed at its inner end with a series of admission openings 4 com municating' with the interior of the casing 5 of the motor as shown, the inner ends of the cylinders projecting into this casing for a suitable distance beyond the said admission openings to allow of the necessary stroke of the working pistons.

The auxiliary piston 3 is a cup-shaped member (shown in section in some of the cylinders of Figs. 1 and 2) having a stem 6 working in a guide 7 in the connecting rod 8 of the working piston and provided with a piston ring 9. The auxiliary piston is formed with a row of holes 10 inside which is fitted a band of spring steel 11 sprung into the piston 3 so as to form a ring'lying over the holes 10. This spring ring acts as a valve to close the holes on the ins'troke of the pistons but can yield inwardunder the pressure of the charge compressed between the pistons 2 and 3 ashereinafter described. An annular series of lugs 11 is provided around the interior of the piston 8 to prevent the ring 11 from shifting outward. An exhaust valve 12 is fitted in the outer end of each cylinder and is controlled as described later.

The cylinders 1 are fixed in the rotating casing 5 of the motor preferably by means of collars 13 formed of channel section with the sides of the channel inclined, so as to receive and grip correspondingly shaped flanges 14, 15 on the cylinder and casing, these collars being divided or open at one side and formed with lugs 13 to receive a right and lefthanded screw for tightening the collar up on the cylinder and casing. The casing 5 and cylinders rotate on ball bearings about the hollow crank shaft 16.

The exhaust valves 12' are controlled through rocking levers 18 and rods 19 by a single cam 2Q, indicated diagrammatically in Figs. l'to 1. This cam is so shaped that eac'hjexhaust valve 12 is first opened for .a portion of theoutward (centrifugal) stroke of the corresponding auxiliary piston,'to allow of the commencement of the exhaust of the burnt gases; then closed so that the residue of burnt gases in the cylinder is compressed by the auxiliary piston and cushions the motion thereof so that it comes to rest at the outer end of its stroke; then again opened to discharge the compressed residual gases into the atmosphere.

The explosive mixture is admitted to the casing 5 through the fixed hollow 'crank shaft "16. Any suitable carburetor may be employed for this purpose and the air for vaporizing the fuel may be drawn in by the suction of the engine alone. Advantageously, however, compressed air may be employed to assist in atomizing the fuel. For this purpose an arrangement such as illustrated in Fig. 3 may be employed in which a jet of compressed air is supplied through a pipe 21 and a nozzle 21, coaxial with the jet or outlet 22 for the liquid fuel supplied by a pipe 23, the pipes 21 and 23 projecting into the induction pipe 17 fixed to the hollow crank shaft at a suitable point. Such an arrangement allows, on starting the engine,- which may not then exert sufficient suction to vaporize and draw in the fuel under normal conditions,of insuring rapid drawing in and vaporization of the fuel and preventing liability of the latter condensing on the cold walls of the casing. Such an arrangement may be employed alone for the whole running of the engine, or only at starting, with an ordinary carburetor provided for normal working.

24:, Figs. 2, 2 and at, represents the magneto, shown as mounted by a two part collar 25 on the fixed crank shaft 16 in such manner that it can be turned through an angle thereon for the purpose above referred to.

The pinion 26 on the rotor spindle of the magneto meshes with the toothed wheel 27 that drives the magneto, this wheel being in fixed connection with the rotary casing, and coaxial with the crank shaft. Thus by turning the magneto bodily through a given an gle about the axis of the crank shaft when the engine is stationary, rotation can be i1nparted to the toothed wheel 26 by the wheel 27 so as tostart the engine, instead of having to turn the casing and cylinders for this purpose.

28 is a disk of a known kind fixed on the 0 crank shaft and carrying the brush contact 30 (see the detail section view Fig. 4) that make contact in the known way with contactv studs 31 on the rotating distributing to be oscillated on a support about the longitudinal axis of the motor, it is not neces sary for the magneto to be provided with an ignition advancing device. The position of the support can give all desired degrees of advance or retard of ignition, and this without in any way detrimentally affecting the intensity of the secondary current (spark) v as the break of the primary circuit can always take place at the moment when the magnetic fiux is maximum in the rotor, the position of the rotor relatively to the field at the moment of break of the primary being invariable in magnetos having no spark advancing device.

The connecting rods of the pistons are preferably coupled to the crank shaft in the special manner described in the specification of my application for Patent Serial No. 867,084, filed Oct. 17, 1914.

The operation of the engine above de scribed is as follows: Starting from the position A Figs. 1-l and proceeding in the direction of rotation (shown by the arrow). Shortly before position A is reached the ignition of the charge in that cylinder has taken place, the exhaust valve being closed. The piston 2 and auxiliary piston are impelled together on their inward (working) stroke. The exhaust valve remains closed through positions B and C, and until shortly before position D is reached, the gases expanding in the cylinder and doing useful work on the pistons. The exhaust valve is opened by the cam shortly before position D is reached and the auxiliary piston therefore commences to move outward away from piston 2 and expel the burnt gases under the action of the centrifugal force. The piston 2 meanwhile continues to travel inward and uncover the admission openings 4, so that the auxiliary piston draws mixture through these openings into the space between itself and the working piston 2. Shortly before position E is reached, the cam closes the exhaust valve, and the auxiliary piston therefore meets a progressively increasing resistance in compressing the imprisoned residue of burnt gases, so that it is gradually brought to rest without'shock at the end of its outstroke, which in the example illustrated, is reached about half way between positions E and F, the mixture continuing to be drawn into the space between the pistons. At this moment the exhaust valve is again opened by the cam and the compressed residue of gases therefore at once falls to atmospheric pressure so that the gases are effectively discharged and leaving only the very minimum quantity in the combustion chamber. In fact there only remains in the combustion chamber a quantity of burnt gases equal to that in a four stroke engine. Meanwhile, the working piston 2 on its outstroke covers the admission orifices 4 and begins to compress the new charge between itself and piston 3, but this compression is insuflicient to overcome the tension of the spring valve ring 11 of the auxiliary piston, so that the mixture does not pass through the same into the combustion space. Just after position F is passed, the exhaust valve is again closed, with the result that the spring ring yields under the compression of the mixture between pistons 2 and 3 and the mixture is therefore forced into the combustion chamber through the holes 10 in piston 3 (as seen in positions G and H), the mixture being fired just before position A. is reached. It will be seen that with the engine there is an explosion in each revolution of the respective cylinders so that twice the power can be'obtained for about the same weight as compared with four stroke motors.

As the chamber containing the compressed residue of burnt gases is placed in communication with the atmosphere after exerting their cushioning action on the auxiliary piston, the residue is expelled to the greatest possible extent, leaving only a very small quantity therein, so that the quality of the fresh charge admitted to the cylinder is prejudiced to the least possible ex tent, and indeed an explosive charge equal in efliciency to that of a four stroke engine can be obtained with a two stroke engine.

It will be understood that the particular construction described is given only by way of example and may be varied in its details without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Generally any suitable apparatus or device may be employed for interrupting the discharge of the burnt gases from the cylinder to cushion the auxiliary piston, and afterward placing the space containing the compressed cushioning gases in communication with the atmosphere for the purpose described. Also it is to be understood that instead of entirely closing the exhaust valve or device to interrupt the discharge of the burnt cushioning gases as described, this valve or device may be left slightly open during a greater or less portion of the outward travel of the auxiliary piston, or even its full outward travel, provided it is opened to exhaust the compressed cushioning gases at the end of the cushioning operation.

In the claiming clauses I therefore wish it to be understood that the references to the closing of the exhaust valves or interruption or obstruction of the discharge of burnt gases includes also partial closing of the exhaust valves or partial interruption or obstruction of the discharge.

Claims:

1. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine comprising in combination a rotary cylinder, a main piston therein, a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main piston thereto, an auxiliary piston in the cylinder, independent and on the outer side of the main piston, and means for cushioning said auxiliary piston upon its outer movement, said means comprising exhaust controlling means adapted to modify the escape of exhaust gases in such manner as to oppose the outward movement tion rotary cylinders, main pistons therein,

a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons and adapted under the influence of centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons, and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, exhaust valves for the cylinders, and means for interrupting the discharge of the burnt gases from the cylinders for a portion of the o-utstroke of the auxiliary pistons in order to cushion the motion of same under centrifugal force by the resulting compression of the burnt gases thus imprisoned, and for subsequently releasing said compressed cushioning gases into the atmosphere 3. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main pistonsthereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons and adapted under the influence of centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, exhaust valves for the cylinders and valve operating means adapted to open said respective valves to discharge a portion of the burnt gases under the outward impulse of the auxiliary pistons, then to close the exhaust valves until the auxiliary pistons have been cushioned approximately to rest by the imprisoned residue of burnt gases at about the end of their outstroke, and then again to open the exhaust valve to discharge the compressed residue of burnt gases.

4571A. two-strolze rotary cylinder internal combustion engine comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main pistonsthereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of'the main pistons and adapted under the influence of centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, exhaust valves for the cylinders and valve operating means comprising a cam adapted to open said respective valves to discharge a portion of the burnt gases under the outward impulse of the auxiliary pistons, then to close the exhaust valves until the auxiliary pistons have been cushioned approximately to rest by the imprisoned residue of burnt gases at about the end of their outstroke, and then again to open the exhaust valves to discharge the compressed residue of burnt gases.

5. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons and adapted to be impelled inward together with the main pistons by the force of combustion and to move outward under centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons, and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, means for admitting mixture between the main and auxiliary pistons during the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons under centrifugal force, ex-

haust valves for the cylinders and valve operating means adapted to open said respective valves to discharge a portion of the burnt gases under the outward impulse of the auxiliary pistons, then to close the exhaust valves until the auxiliary pistons have been cushioned approximately to rest by the imprisoned residue of burnt gases at about the end. of their outstroke, and then again to open the exhaust valves to discharge the compressed residue of burnt gases.

6. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine, comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein,

a crank-shaft and means for connecting the pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons and adapted to be impelled invard together with the main pistons by the force of combustion and to move outward under centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, means for admitting mixture between the main and auxiliarypistons during the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons under centrifugal force, exhaust valves for the cylinders, valve operating means adapted to open said respective valves to discharge a portion of the burnt gases under the outward impulse of the auxiliary pistons, then to close the exhaust valves until the auxiliary pistons have been cushioned approximately to rest by the imprisoned residue of burnt gases at about the end of their outstroke, and then again to open the exhaust valves to discharge the compressed residue of burnt gases, passages in the auxiliary pistons for establishing communication between the cylinder combustion chambers and the spaces between the auxiliary and working pistons, closing means for said passages in the auxiliary pistons, said means being adapted to yield under the pressure of the charge compressed between the working and auxiliary pistons, to permit the charge to be forced past the auxiliary pistons into the combustion chambers.

7. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine, comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crankshaft and means for connecting the pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons and adapted to be impelled inward together with the main pistons by the force of combustion and to move outv-rard under centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, means for admitting mixture between the main and auxiliary pistons during the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons under centrifugal force, exhaust valves for the cylinders, valve operating means adapted to open said respective valves to discharge a portion of the burnt gases under the outward impulse of the auxiliary pistons, then to close the exhaust valves until the auxiliary pistons have been cushioned approximately to rest by the imprisoned residue of burnt gases at about the end of their outstroke, and then again to open the exhaust valves to discharge the compressed residue ofburnt gases, passages in the au:-:iliary piston for establishing communication. between the cylinder combustion chambers and the spaces between the auxiliary and working pistons, spring rings for closing said passages, said rings being adapted to yield under the pressure of the char es compressed between the working and auxiliary pistons, to permit the charges to be forced past the auxiliary pistons into the combustion chambers.

8. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crankshaft and means for connecting the main pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons and adapted under the influence of centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, combustion chambers at the outer ends of the cylinders and through which the burnt gases are expelled, exhaust valves for said chambers and operating means adapted through said valves to 0bstruct the discharge of the burnt gases in the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons and thereby cushion the motion of the auxiliary pistons by the resulting compression of the burnt gases on the outer sides of the auxiliary pistons, and to release the compressed burnt gases into the atmosphere at about the end of the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons.

9. A. two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine, comprising in combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons, and adapted to be impelled inward together therewith on the working stroke but to move outwart therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, combustion chambers at the outer ends of the cylinders, and through which. the burnt gases are expelled, exhaust valves for said chambers and operating means adapted through said valves to obstruct the discharge of the burnt gases in the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons and thereby cushion the motion of the auxiliary pistons by the resulting compression of the burnt gases on the outer sides of the auxiliary pistons, and to release the compressed burnt gases into the atmosphere at about the end of the out ward stroke of the auxiliary pistons and then to close the exhaust valves for the reception of the next explosive charge by the combustion chambers, and means for permitting the explosive mixture to be then transferred past the auxiliary pistons to the co1nbustion chambers.

10. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine, comprising in combina tion rotary cylinders, main pistons therein, a crank-shaft and means for connecting the main pistons thereto, auxiliary pistons in the cylinders, independent and on the outer side of the main pistons, and adapted to be impelled inward together therewith on the working stroke but to move outward therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force to draw in combustible mixture between themselves and the main pistons for compression by the main pistons and to expel the burnt gases from the cylinders, combustion chambers at the outer ends of the cylinders and through which the burnt gases are expelled, exhaust valves for said chambers and operating means adapted through said valves to obstruct the discharge of the burnt gases in the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons and thereby cushion themot-ion of the auxiliary'pistons by the resulting compression of the burnt gases on the outer sides of the auxiliary pistons, and to release the compressed burnt gases into I the atmosphere at about the end of the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons and then to close the exhaust valves for the reception of the next explosive charges by the combustion chambers, transfer passages in the auxiliary pistons and closing means for said passages adapted to yield under the pressure of the charges compressed between the'working and auxiliary pistons, whereby the charges are forced past the auxiliary pistons into the combustion chambers when the valves are closed after releasing the compressed burnt gases to the atmosphere.

. 11. A two-stroke rotary cylinder internal combustion engine, comprislng 1n combination rotary cylinders, main pistons therein,

bustion chambers at the outer ends of the cylinders and through which the burnt gases are expelled, exhaust valves for said chambers and operating means adapted through said valves to obstruct the discharge of the burnt gases in the outward stroke of the auxiliary pistons and thereby cushion the motion of the auxiliary pistons by the re sulting compression of the burnt gases on the outer sides of the auxiliary pistons, and to release the compressed burnt gases into the :tmosphere at about the end of the outrard stroke of the auxiliary pistons and then to close the exhaust valves for the reception of the next explosive charge by the combustion chambers, transfer passages in the auxiliary pistons and spring rings for closing said passages and adapted to yield under the pressure of the charges compressed between the wo'rking and auxiliary pistons, whereby the charges are forced past the auxiliary pistons into the combustion chambers when the valves are closed after releasing the compressed burnt gases to the atmosphere.

In witness whereof. I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FELIX JOSEPH GHARLEMAGNE TESSE.

Witnesses:

THOMAS LAING VVI-IITEHEAD, ROBERT MILTON SPEARPOINT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. C. 

